The Nclex Rn Is The Final Test Nursing Essay

The Nclex Rn Is The Final Test Nursing Essay When a graduate nurse fails the NCLEX-RN exam, there may be significant adverse effects for stakeholders. Ethical responsibility of graduating student who meets the qualifications and academic rigor of the nursing program but cannot pass the NCLEX-RN exam needs to be addressed by educators. Approximately 15,000 students failed to pass the NCLEX-RN exam annually. Closure of nursing programs may result if students consistently fail to maintain the national benchmark standards set by the NCSBN. Graduates failing the NCLEX-RN affect three major stakeholders: graduate nurses, health care organizations, and the nursing program (Roa et al., 2010). Nursing programs have implemented specific strategies for student success on the NCLEX-RN exam. Strategies for success include strict admission requirements, identifying at-risk students, developing and enforcing specific progression policies, developing course-related interventions, endorsing review courses, providing individual and academic support, and requiring interventions for at-risk students (Herrman Johnson, 2009). Faculty at a nursing program in the Southeastern region of the United States wanted to determine if the Computer HESI exit exam was equivalent to paper-and-pencil exit exam, the Mosby Assess Paper and Pencil Test (MAT). They administered two exit exams to their students, the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) Exit Exam and the MAT. The HESI exit exam was given first and the MAT was given 4 months later. The MAT was completed for graduation and the HESI for evaluation. The HESI scores was r = 0.723, p Educators at the University of Delaware developed a residency curriculum including a senior- year involvement. The curricula consisted of two seminars during the final year of school. The first seminar was conducted on key information related to professional clinical development. Culturally component caregiving, complementary and alternative health care practices, legal and ethical issues in practice, and career planning and preparation were also included (Herrman Johnson 2009). The second seminar, scheduled the semester prior to graduation, consisted of reinforcement study skills and preparation for the NCLEX-RN. This course provides consecutive clinical building of NCLEX-RN specific content through the semester (Herrman Johnson, 2009). Faculties at Wichita State University (WSU) were unable to meet their set goal for passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Upon inquiry, they realized that the students did not appear overly anxious about taking the exam and usually waited until after graduation to start preparing for it. Due to their not meeting the national average, the faculty agreed that a program utilizing standardized practice test to increase preparation for NCLEX-RN and give feedback regarding their performance needed to be established. The faculty instituted a program of standardized computer testing. Test scores along with course grades were used to identify at-risk students to give them additional assistance (Jacobs Koehn, 2006). Educators reviewed various program and decided on the program established by ATI. Two tests were chosen by the school: the test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) and the Comprehensive Predictor test. Faculty tested the students near the end of the semester with students required to make the 60th percentile or remediation is necessary. Students not completing remediation by the end of the semester will receive an incomplete and cannot move forward to the next course until completed. The first class to graduate following the implementation of the ATI standardized computer testing, showed an improvement on NCLEX-RN pass rate. The ATI program validated a solid consumer-oriented program that was helpful to WSU nursing school (Jacobs Koehn, 2006). Bondmass, Moonie, and Kowalski (2008) conducted a study concerning a change in the NCLEX-RN success rates following the addition of standardized exams throughout the program curriculum. They also compared the exam scores between graduates who passed the NCLEX-RN, and those who did not. The 187 students consisting of four classes were enrolled in the study. Twenty-three students (12.3%) did not graduate from the program. One-hundred and sixty-one students completed the program and graduated. The retention rate for the students was 87.7%. Of the 161 students, data was available for 147 students. One hundred and twenty-nine (87.8%) students passed the NCLEX-RN exam on the first attempt and 18 (12.2%) graduates did not pass. Results showed a 8.5% change (p National Council of State Boards of Nursing Founded in 1978, the (NCSBN) is a not-for-profit organization created in order to guard the safety of the public. NCSBN protects the public by ensuring that licensed nurses provide safe and competent nursing care. NCSBN establishes regulatory excellence for public health to ensure that nurses entering the workforce have the necessary knowledge and skills to practice. To accomplish their goals, the NCSBN develops a licensure examination that is consistent with current nursing practice. NCLEX-RN test questions are based on Blooms taxonomy for the cognitive domain (NCSBN, 2012; Anderson Krathwohl, 2001). NCSBN is the collective voice of nursing regulation in the U.S. and its territories with work that involves: Developing the NCLEX-RN, NCLEX-PN, NNAAP and MACE examinations. Monitoring trends in public policy, nursing practice and education. Promoting uniformity in relationship to the regulation of nursing practice. Disseminating data related to the licensure of nurses. Conducting research on nursing practice issues. Serving as a forum for information exchange for members. Providing opportunities for collaboration among its members and other nursing and health care organizations. Maintaining the Nurses database, by coordinating national publicly available nurse licensure information (NCSBN, 2012). Computerized NCLEX-RN test includes multiple choices, exhibit items, fill-in-the- blank calculations, drag and drop, charts and graphs, and hot spot items. The NCSBN developed a position statement in July 2009 regarding the impending nursing shortage. NCSBN posits that standards should be based on the highest degree of available evidence for nursing practice, education, and regulation, and that these standards should be upheld in order to secure, safe care and quality education for students (NCSBNC, 2009). This statement was developed based on chronological events that occurred in reaction to previous shortage employing deregulation of educational standards including decreased qualified faculty. The NCSBN reviews the NCLEX-RN exam every 3 years for possible increase in intensity of questions to reflect the complications of patient care encountered by health care organizations. The NCLEX- RN exam was updated in April 2010 because of the national practice analysis survey on current practice of entry-level nurses and because of employers demanding higher levels of competence from new graduate nurses (Roa, et al., 2010). Assessment Technology Institute According to Davenport (2008), various strategies associated with passing the NCLEX-RN exam. One such strategy, the Assessment Technology Institute (ATI) offers programs that are influential in improving faculty, student and program outcomes such as the predictor test. The ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor test provides students and faculties with a numeric report of the probability of passing the NCLEX-RN at the student present level of preparedness. Secondly, the predictor is a guide for remediation based on the content missed. Students are given a list of topics missed in the individual and group score report. An all-encompassing validation process involving statistical comparison of student performance on the RN Comprehensive Predictor and the concrete NCLEX-RN first attempt pass/fail status. Students are required to purchase the ATI comprehensive package that gives them access to all required test throughout the program. Included in the program are computerized critical thinking entrances and exit exams, a learning style inventory, content-specific exams, and comprehensive predictor test, which are based on the NCLEX-RN test blueprint. Students complete nonproctored and proctored exams during each semester. The ATI comprehensive package assists educators in augmenting curriculum, upgrading courses, and faculty development (Davenport, 2008). Alameida, Find all citations by this author (default). Orfilter your current search Prive, Find all citations by this author (default). Orfilter your current search Davis, Find all citations by this author (default). Orfilter your current search Landry, Find all citations by this author (default). Orfilter your current search Renwanz-Boyle, Find all citations by this author (default). Orfilter your current search Dunham (2011) conducted a study on standardized testing to predict first-time success from two prelicensing programs. The sample size (N=589) students, completed the nursing program between 2003 and 2009. Demographic data, GPA, and ATI RN scores were analyzed. The results of the study showed that the ATI RN Comprehensive predictor was associated with first-time pass success. Students at-risk of failing the NCLEX-RN exam could be identified prior to testing and remediated to increase their probability of passing. Health Education Systems Incorporated HESI is a standardized exam used by schools of nursing in evaluating students competency achievement of curricular outcomes. HESI provides various exams including the HESI Admission Assessment (entrance exam), specialty exams that can assess detailed clinical content, custom exam which assess faculty-specific content; and the HESI Exit Exam, a comprehensive exit assessment evaluate students knowledge base and their ability to apply nursing concepts. For this research purpose, the HESI Exit Exam will be reviewed (Morrison, Adamson, Nibert, Hsia, 2008). The HESI Exist Exam is a comprehensive 150-item test administered prior to completion of the nursing for evaluation of students readiness for the NCLEX-RN. Identification of students weaknesses, strengths, and the need for remediation prior to taking the exam is determined. Test items are based on a critical-thinking model that necessitates applying clinical reasoning to select the correct answers (Nibert, Young, Adamson 2008). The HESI Predictability Model, a proprietary mathematical model, calculates scores of this exam. The reliability of the exam is determined by conducting an item analysis on each exam for a composite report of the combined data. Validity is determined by an evaluation of content validity, construct validity, and criterion-related validity (Morrison, et al., 2008). Critical Thinking Critical thinking is an integral part of accountability and quality care within the nursing profession. Critical thinking continues to be an essential part of nursing and must be a central factor of course content. Shirrell (2008) conducted a study to determine if critical thinking is a predictor of NCLEX success. Results showed that critical thinking alone is not a good predictor of NCLEX-RN success. Including critical thinking, in the curriculum is essential for enhancement of the students higher level of thinking. Critical thinking skills are an expectation of all nurses for accurate interpretation of patient issues and appropriate management of their care. Patients lives depend on nurses making quick decisions and taking appropriate action. Brookfield (2010) describes critical thinking as developing an awareness of the assumption that an individual and others think and act. Critical thinking is what students see and how they will take care of problems to make the patient healthier. It essential for students to know CT is the distinction between keeping patients safe and putting them in harms way. Alfaro-LeFevre (2009) created a 4 circle critical thinking (CT) model that Educators can use in helping students to understand critical thinking. CTA-JPEG Figure 1 Alfaro-LeFevre, R. (2009). Critical Thinking and Clinical Judgment: A Practical Approach to Outcome-Focused Thinking (4th ed). St Louis, Missouri. Beginning at the top and continuing clockwise, this model helps students understand the need for a commitment to developing critical thinking characteristics such as persistence and fair-mindedness. Second, students should be responsible for their learning by seeking out learning experiences that will get them academic and pragmatic knowledge needed to critically think. Third, students need to develop interpersonal skills for example, conflict management, teamwork, and being an advocate for their patients. Fourth, students should practicing related technical skills for example using computers, starting intravenous therapy, completing sterile procedures (Alfaro-LeFevre, 2009). Educators using the nursing process can help their students improving their critical thinking skills, pass the NCLEX-RN exam and be safe, effective nurses. NCLEX-RN Test Plan The licensing authorities within the state, commonwealth and territorial boards of nursing regulate entry into the practice of nursing. Development of the NCLEX-RN Test Plan is accomplished by collecting data on the current practices of entry-level nurses for the purpose of by conducting a practice analysis. Licensed RNs were asked about the occurrence and significance of performing 155 activities concerning current nursing practice. An analysis of the activities is completed in relation to the frequency of performance, impact on maintaining client safety and client care settings where the activities are performed. Result of the analysis serves as a guide for improvement of standards for entry-level nursing practice. The succeeding stage involves development of the NCLEX-RN Test Plan, which guides the selection of content and performances to be tested (2010 NCLEX-RN Detailed Test Plan, NCSBN, 2010). The NCLEX-RN Test Plan serves as a template for development of the examination. The NCLEXÂ ® examination assesses the knowledge, skills and abilities that are essential for the nurse. The organization of the NCLEX-RN examination is based on nursing actions and competencies crucial for meeting the needs of patients. The test plan is reviewed and approved by the NCLEX Examination Committee. Resources used in this process include the recent practice analysis of RNs, expert opinions of the NCLEX-RN Examination Committee, and NCSBNs member boards to certify that the test plan is reliable with state nurse practice acts. Upon approval of the NCLEX-RN Examination Committee, the test plan is presented to the Delegate Assembly for review and approval (2010 NCLEX-RN Detailed Test Plan, NCSBN, 2010). In December 2009, the NCSBN Board of Directors made a decision to raise the NCLEX-RN from -0.21 to -0.16 logits. In combination with the 2010 NCLEX-RN Test Plan, the new standards was applied April 1, 2010. The Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) is used to administer the examination. CAT is a technique for administering exams that combines computer technology with contemporary measurement concept to increase the competence of the exam process (2010 NCLEX-RN Detailed Test Plan, NCSBN, 2010). Test Plan Structure The framework of the test plan is based on client needs, defining nursing actions and competencies which focus on clients in all situations. The structure of the NCLEX-RN Test Plan has four major client needs categories with two of the four categories divided into subcategories. The four categories of the 2010 NCLEX-RN Test Plan and subcategories are: Safe and Effective Care Environment Management of Care Safety and Infection Control Health Promotion and Maintenance Psychosocial Integrity Physiological Integrity Basic Care and Comfort Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies Reduction of Risk Potential Physiological Adaptation (2010 NCLEX-RN Detailed Test Plan, NCSBN, 2007). Integrated Processes The following processes are fundamental to the practice of nursing and are integrated throughout the Client Needs categories and subcategories: Nursing Process a scientific, clinical reasoning approach to client care that includes assessment, analysis, planning, implementation and evaluation. Caring interaction of the nurse and client in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust. In this collaborative environment, the nurse provides encouragement, hope, support and compassion to help achieve desired outcomes. Communication and Documentation verbal and nonverbal interactions between the nurse and the client, the clients significant others and the other members of the health care team. Events and activities associated with client care are validated in written and/or electronic records that reflect standards of practice and accountability in the provision of care. Teaching/Learning facilitation of the acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes promoting a change in behavior (2010 NCLEX-RN Detailed Test Plan, NCSBN, 2007). Distribution of Content Based on the results of the Report of Findings from the 2008 RN Practice Analysis: Linking the NCLEX-RNÂ ® Examination to Practice, Percentage of test questions allocated to each client needs category and subcategory of the NCLEX-RN Test Plan (NCSBN, 2009). Percentage of Items from Each Client Needs Category/Subcategory are: Safe and Effective Care Environment Management of Care 16-22% Safety and Infection Control 8-14% Heath Promotion and Maintenance 6-12% Psychosocial Integrity 6-12% Physiological Integrity Basic Care and Comfort 6-12% Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies 13-19% Reduction of Risk Potential 10-16% Physiological Adaptation 11-17% (2010 NCLEX-RN Detailed Test Plan, NCSBN, 2010). The detailed test plan serves as a guide for students and faculty to assist in preparation for the examination. Additionally, the test plan directs item writers in the improvement of test questions and simplifies the classification of examination items. NCSBN creates two versions of the detailed test plan; 1) Item Writer/Item Reviewer/Nurse Educator version and 2) Applicant version. The Item Writer/Item Reviewer/Nurse Educator version has a more exhaustive and wide-ranging listing of content for each client needs category and subcategory. Following each category are sample questions, which are explicit to the client needs category reviewed in that section. The educator version of the test plan has an item writing guide with sample scenarios for hands-on experience in writing NCLEX style test questions. The student version of the detailed test plan does not have an item-writing guide (NCLEX-RN Detailed Test Plan, NCSBN, 2010). Implications Results of this study may have implications for nursing programs and show a need for further research. Academic variables might prove useful in the early identification of students at risk for failing the NCLEX exam. Results from this study may also influence nursing programs by assisting nursing faculty in identifying at-risk students who may need remediation to increase their chances of being successful in the nursing program. In addition, results from this study may be important because predictor variables may point to factors that may lead to a successful first attempt at the NCLEX-RN. The majority of the nursing graduates who take the NCLEX-RN examination are associates degree graduates, and success on the exam influences the number of nurses entering the field each year (NCSBN, 2009). Summary Nursing programs need to identify causes for attrition and implement strategies to retain students and improve recruitment of students with increased probability of successfully finishing nursing school (NLNAC, 2008). The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN, 2005) is in agreement with the recommendations from the NLNAC. Causes of the nursing shortage are multi-faceted. Literature review shows there is a downward trend in the number of nursing graduates who are successful with the NCLEX-RN exam for first time test takers. There is a critical need for registered nurses who can function as competent professionals. Nursing programs need to develop strategies that will help decrease their attrition rate in order for nursing graduates to be successful with the NCLEX-RN exam on the first attempt. The scope of the national nursing shortage goes well beyond the healthcare agencies. Nursing programs are conscientiously working to increase the number of qualified graduate nurses to address the nursing shortage. Increase in graduates is only one consideration to increasing enrollment. Along with increasing enrollment, nursing programs must maintain quality programs. Nursing educators need to improve students likelihood of passing the NCLEX-RN through nursing programs structure curriculum, developing assessment testing, and utilizing program predictors to identify students at risk for failure on NCLEX-RN. The quality of a good nursing program is dependent on their graduates being successful with the NCLEX- RN exam on the first attempt. Section 2: The Methodology Introduction With the growing shortage of nurses and increased number of students failing the NCLEX-RN, critical evaluation of predictors of success for first time test takers is essential for improvement of NCLEX-RN scores. Determining predictors of success will assist nursing programs in determining at-risk students for remediation to give them the greatest probability for NCLEX-RN success. The purpose of this quantitative study is to determine if there is a positive correlation between predictor test and NCLEX-RN success for first-time test takers. This study will examine predictors of success of an Associate Degree of Nursing program from 2010 to 2011. The research will address the following questions: Is there a correlation between GPA pre-nursing GPA, final GPA, and NCLEX-RN success? Is there a correlation between age, gender, and NCLEX-RN success? Is there a correlation between ATI scores and NCLEX-RN success? To answer these questions, predictors of NCLEX-RN will identify four cohorts of students graduating in Spring 2010, Summer 2010, Spring 2011, and Summer 2011. NCLEX-RN results and ATI predictor results will be obtained from archival student data with permission of the college. The population will be students who completed a five-semester ADN nursing program. Data will be reviewed to determine: Students who passed the NCLEX-RN on the first attempt and made the required score on the ATI test. Students who passed the NCLEX-RN on the first attempt and did not make the required score on the ATI test. Students who failed the NCLEX-RN and did not make the required score on the ATI test. Students GPA before beginning the nursing program. Students GPA at completion of the nursing program. The dependent variable is the passing NCLEX-RN. The independent variables include students GPA pre-nursing and GPA at completion of the nursing program, age, gender, and the ATI predictor scores given at the end of the nursing program. These academic and nonacademic variables have been used in previous studies and are associated with a positive and significant predictor of NCLEX success (Gilmore, 2008; Frith et al, 2008; Truman, 2012; Wolkowitz, 2009). Quantitative research (Lodico, Spaulding, Voegtle, 2010) is conducted to determine the relationships between variables. There are two types of correlational designs, explanatory and prediction. An explanatory design, which will be used for this study, is a correlational design that examines whether changes in one variable will effect changes in one or more variables (Creswell, 2012). The following characteristics need to be present to use an explanatory design: correlation of two or more variables by the researcher, data are collected at one point in time, all participants are analyzed as a single group, obtains at least two scores for each individual in the group, employs correlational statistical testing in data analysis, and infers a conclusions from the statistical data. All characteristics apply to this study (Creswell, 2012). Sample and Data Collection The sample will consist of students who completed the program and sat for the NCLEX-RN exam spring 2010 (N = 54), summer 2010 (N = 44), spring 2011 (N = 49), summer 2011(N=41). Descriptive statistics will be used to describe and summarize the sample and examine relationships between each variable. Descriptive statistics will also be used to assess differences in the graduates who did not pass the NCLEX-RN exam and those who successfully passed the exam. This study will be conducted in a technical college, located in the southeastern area of South Carolina. Students NCLEX pass rates, ATI predictor scores, academic and nonacademic predictors will be collected from archival student data. Data will be entered via Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18.0. Academic and nonacademic predictors will be correlated with the numbers of students who were successful on their first attempt with NCLEX-RN exam. Additionally, a correlation of the ATI predictor exam scores used by the college as subsequent NCLEX-RN success will be completed. Data Analysis The use of descriptive statistics to summarize the findings is essential aspect of research for clarity (Lodico et al, 2010). Descriptive statistics (mean, mode and standard deviation) will also be used to identify the continuous sample. The level of significance will be set at p Pearsons r is very vulnerable to outliers in the data so you need to test for outliers. Outliers can be detected by plotting the two variables against each other on a graph and visually inspecting the graph for errors. The outlier can be removed or manipulated as long as it can justified why it was done. If there is no justification for removing the outlier, a Spearmans Rank Order Correlation can be done (Green Salkind, 2011). Ethical Considerations Informed consent is not needed from students. The research will be limited to existing academic records maintained by the college of nursing program. No names will be used in this study. Data will be coded into the SPSS to protect students records. Students grades and ATI results are stored the nursing department and permission to view these records will need to be granted by the dean of nursing and the vice president of academic affairs. The researcher will also need approval from Institutional Research Board (IRB) before assessing any student records for the purpose of the study Conclusion Data from this project study will provide information that will assist in improving student success with NCLEX-RN on their first attempt. This quantitative study will assist the college in developing plans for early intervention and counseling for students who are at risk of failing the NCLEX-RN. Students will also benefit from consistent counseling by faculty and remediation for low scores on standardized test. Schools of nursing will also benefit from students improving

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck: Film vs. Novel Essay -- Mice Men Jo

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck: Film vs. Novel The film is severely different from the novel, as the director, Gary Sinise, made deliberate changes to influence the audience's feelings and reactions. He has altered and added scenes as he saw this as necessary to create the right kind of atmosphere and to keep the plot flowing. The whole story is about two men, George and Lennie. These are very two very different characters; the novel describes them as opposites. Lennie is a very large and burly while George is 'small and quick'. In the book they wear exactly the same thing, but as the film has to rely on devices and stereotypes to pass the message across quickly, they dress Lennie in dungarees to show how different they area and to show the childlikeness of Lennie. There is a problem with Lennie; he has a child's mind. This causes many problems for the pair and results in Lennie's unavoidable death. There are two things that cause these many problems- one being the fact that Lennie likes to stroke soft things. When he was young, his aunt Clara had given him a piece of velvet (it only makes you wonder if he hadn't have lost that, his life might have been saved.) Because of his "condition", he likes to keep mice. But once again his strength is a problem. When he's scared he holds onto things, so, when the mice bite him he crushes them to death. These problems echo through the story, Curly's hand, the pup and ultimately Curly's wife. There are three particular differences, the beginning and the end and Curly's wife. In the beginning of the novel, the author sets the scene quite vividly, and explains it in explicit detail. In the beginning of the film there are white credits on a black b... ...r if she deserves it. In the novel she walks in uninvited to join Crooks, Lennie and George in Crook's room. She threatens Crooks with being lynched and the way she does this makes her come across as vile and bitter. In the film she doesn't; she catches the men outside and talks at one point. She says Curley became mad and smashed all her records, this immediately makes you feel sorry for her as she is clearly vulnerable. All doubts are erased as you listen to what she says next and sympathise with her; this is something the novel tries to avoid doing. Her death scene is exactly the same, showing that whatever the character may be like, we all sympathise with her tragic death. Although the novel and film have the same story line, just by altering certain things you get a whole different aspect and create a totally different effect on the audience.

Strawberry Dna Extraction and Quantitative Hypothesis Development

We wanted to extract, see and analyze DNA from a single strawberry( 12. 11 g). The long, thick fibers of DNA store the information for the functioning of the chemistry of life. DNA is present in every cell of plants and animals. The DNA found in strawberry cells can be extracted using common, everyday materials. To start the procedure we needed the following supplies; one strawberry, one plastic cup, 10 ml of Cell Lysis Buffer (10% detergent, 1% NaCl), one plastic zip-lock bag, one coffee filter, and 25 ml of ice cold Ethanol.The first step of the process was to obtain the weight of the plastic cup by itself, get a strawberry, remove the stem and leave, put it in the plastic cup and then record the weight of plastic cup with strawberry. The results of this first step was; weight of plastic cup: 9. 63 g, weight of plastic cup and strawberry: 21. 74 g. The following step was to place the strawberry in the zip-lock bag, close it and start smashing the strawberry until it was completely broken up, the strawberry had a smoothie-like look. 0 ml of Cell Lysis Buffer was added to the strawberry and gentle massaged it for about one minute. This buffer, which has detergent in it, is to dissolve the cell and nuclear membranes and salts to break the ionic bonds between the histones and DNA, it separates DNA from strawberry. During this step, my lab partner prepared the coffee filter to filter the solution as determine by our instructor. We pour the cell lysate on the coffee filter and allowed it to go through it, to help it, we used a spoon and gently pushed the substance to get the most liquid out of it without braking the coffee filter.Before the filtration the texture looked solid, but after it looked like strawberry juice. Our instructor added 25 ml of ice cold ethanol to the cup and obtain the DNA. We could observe a solid white, mucus like material forming out of the â€Å"juice†. The excess of liquid was removed from the cup, and the cup and DNA was weighted, resulting of 10. 81 g, which was subtracted from the cup weight, having 1. 18 g as the weight of DNA. After this, we calculated the % of the strawberry that was DNA. We concluded that the DNA from strawberry was 9. 74%

Differentiating Between Cedars and Junipers

Cedars and junipers are both evergreen coniferous  trees  belonging to the plant order  Pinales. They have many traits in common and are easily confused, in part because some trees commonly referred to as cedars are actually junipers. To sort out the confusion, it helps to take a closer look at the defining qualities of each tree. Cedar is the common name for a variety of trees, including both true cedars (those belonging to the genus  Cedrus) and false or New World cedars, which include a number of different trees from  separate but similar genera. Junipers are trees belonging to the genus  Juniperus. Some of these trees, despite being junipers, are commonly referred to as cedars, such as  Juniperus bermudiana, which is commonly known as the Bermuda cedar. True Cedars vs. False Cedars An important distinction needs to be made between true and false cedars. True cedars are members of the genus  Cedrus  and include species such as the Lebanon cedar, Atlas cedar, and Cyprus cedar. They are found in the Himalayas and the Mediterranean region and are often grown in parks and gardens. All true cedars are members of the pine family (Pinaceae). False cedars, sometimes known as New World cedars, are found in North America. They are members of the genera  Calocedrus,  Thuja, and  Chamaecyparis, all of which are part of the Cypress family (Cupressaceae). Some believe that these trees came to be called cedars because of their  aromatic wood, which resembles that of true cedars. Characteristics of Cedars Cedars are evergreen coniferous trees found throughout the world. They are usually tall and often feature fan-like foliage, small cones, or tiny pink flowers. The major cedars of North America—including the  Atlantic white cedar,  northern white cedar, giant sequoia, and western red cedar—all have flat, scale-like leaves and stringy bark.  They grow in the Northeast, Pacific Northwest, and along the Atlantic coast. The  Japanese red-cedar, originally cultivated in China, is used to produce strong, weather- and insect-resistant timber for building furniture and houses. Other cedars, including the Mexican white cedar and Australian red cedar, are also used to produce durable timber. The  Lebanon cedar—one of the true cedars—is mentioned numerous times in the Bible. It was supposedly used in the construction of Solomons Temple in Jerusalem. Characteristics of Junipers Junipers, like cedars, are also evergreen coniferous plants. Junipers, however, are  most commonly shrubs, though they can be trees as well. The plants often feature  berrylike, bluish, glaucous, bloomy cones on the tips of their shoots. Some junipers also have spiny needle-like leaves. Juniper trees, when they are fully grown, often resemble narrow columns. One of the best examples of this is  Juniperus virginiana, or the eastern red-cedar, one of the several cedars that are actually junipers. It is the most common juniper in eastern North America. The most common juniper in western North America is the Rocky Mountain juniper. All junipers produce small seed cones that resemble berries. The seed cones of the common juniper are sold as juniper berries. Juniper berries are a key ingredient in the production of gin.

Rome Engineering an Empire Review

Rome: Engineering an Empire tells the story of the expansion of the Roman Empire by means of amazing engineering feats. One of the more impressive anecdotes of this History Channel production is that the Roman aqueducts procured more water for the city of Rome during the Empire than New York City could supply its inhabitants in 1985. The production is sleek, seamlessly flowing from historical period to engineering accomplishment to imperial biography, using on-site photography, drawings, and actors to recreate interpersonal relations. Roman Accomplishments in Construction Chronologically, the first engineering accomplishment featured in Rome: Engineering an Empire  is the creation of a great sewer system, the cloaca maxima, which allowed the hilltop villages to consolidate, but the story presented by Rome: Engineering an Empire begins with the end of the Republic and Julius Caesar, whose engineering marvel was the building of a 1000-foot wooden bridge over the Rhine River in 10 days for Caesars legions to cross. Military needs also dictated the construction of the famous roads of the Roman Empire. These roads werent straight just for the sake of speed, but because the Romans lacked surveying tools that would allow them to make curves. Roman aqueducts, based on simple physical principles, were also straight line constructions, tunnels through mountains, and bridges over valleys, with the famous Roman arch construction, used to limit the amount of material needed. Emperors and an Empire Although Claudius wasnt the only emperor to work on aqueducts, the program credits the emperor with the Anio aqueduct, while describing both his reign and his relationship with his wife Agrippina. This ties one engineering feat with the next, the pleasure palace of the Golden Palace (Domus Aurea), constructed by Agrippinas son, Emperor Nero. Neros murder of his mother ties in with a later segment on Emperor Caracalla who killed his brother before the eyes of his mother. Between these two emperors, Rome: Engineering an Empire covers the building feats and careers of the good emperors, Vespasian, Trajan, and Hadrian, builders of the Colosseum or Flavian Amphitheater; builder of a column celebrating his conquests and an early shopping mall with 150 storefronts, and rebuilder of the forum; and the wall up to 30 feet high in places that crossed the entire width of Britain. Rome: Engineering an Empire is available on DVD  from Amazon.

The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano...

Born in 1745, Equiano was born a member of the Igbo tribe in a village called Essaka in the kingdom of Benin. He describes Essaka as a remote and fertile village where slavery is a part of life. Born into a family of seven, Equiano is the youngest of six sons and the greatest favourite of his mother. One day, when he and his sister were left to mind their house while their people were gone to their work, they were both kidnapped and enslaved, violating the unwritten rules that slaves should only be acquired as prisoners of war or criminals. This day would change Equianos life forever and begin his experiences in slavery. After being kidnapped, separated from his sister, reunited, and then separated once again from his sister,†¦show more content†¦In England, Equiano had a very kind master who was also his friend. With Pascal, he journeyed to many European ports and fought for Britain on the naval ship in the Seven Years War. In Britain, he was hired to serve numerous different families and acquired many useful friends during this time. Equiano recalls a pleasant and safe time there, with a growing desire to act as the British. I could now speak English tolerably well, and I perfectly understood everything that was said. I not only felt myself quite easy with these new countrymen, but relished their society and manners. I no longer look upon them as spirits, but as men superior to us; and therefore I had the stronger desire to resemble them, to imbibe their spirit, and imitate their manners. During this period, he served a woman named Miss Guerins, who sent him to school where he gratefully learned to read and write. She was also the one who convinced Pascal to allow Equiano to be baptized and became his Godmother. With his recent education and much talk of freedom, or being delivered, Equiano was devastated when he was sent off once again. With Captain James Doran, he sailed to the West Indies and upon arriving at Montserrat, Equiano was sold to a Quaker merchant from Philadelphia named Robert King. Although King was another kind master, upon his merchant ships, which delivered cattle and food to the West Indies in exchange for carrying newly arrived African slavesShow MoreRelatedOlaudah Equianos the Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, Written by Himself1119 Words   |  5 PagesOlaudah Equiano s The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, Written by Himself, is the story of the eponymous real-life character, Olaudah Equiano, his life, trials, tribulations and journey from slavery at an early age to freedom. For Equiano, it seems that slavery is almost a metaphysical phenomenon. His entire life is essentially characterized by the different experiences relating slavery, from Africa to the Middle Passage to plantation life inRead MoreSummary : Free Slave Voice 1397 Words   |  6 Pagesunderstood for we are many and evil is few. (OE) after reading the excerpt of â€Å"The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African,† it was then necessary to read the complete text. Upon completion of the reading, I found that it was somewhat troublesome because there is not a sense of urgency in the tone of his writing to help his fellow Negros out of their enslavement. The narrative does not provoke the reader to become alarmed at the plight of Negro slave but insteadRead MoreAmitav Ghosh the Hungry Tide and the Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano5089 Words   |  21 PagesBoth The Hungry Tide and The Interesting Narrative Of Olaudah Equiano are tales of sociological hardships combined with a life bound to the sea. 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He begins his narrative with aRead More Jessica Rodriguez Essay1364 Words   |  6 PagesAccuracy in Equiano’s Novel Olaudah Equiano’s autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, Written by Himself, has become a very important piece of literature. Equiano established a new type of literature with this novel. It was the first autobiography/slave narrative ever written. Many other slaves, such as Fredrick Douglass, followed his example in writing autobiographies or slave narratives. Equiano not only gives detailed descriptionsRead More Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa Essay1022 Words   |  5 PagesOlaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa It was in 1758 when Olaudah Equiano was kidnapped from his home in Southeastern Nigeria and sold into slavery. Equiano was just eleven years old at the time and was forced to leave his Ibo religion, his family, and all else familiar. 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Financial Statements Of Kathmandu Holdings †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Questions: 1. Provide a brief of the company (Name, year of establishment, history, background, the product/service they deal in) and also what year is under review? Try selecting the latest year? 2. Looking at the contents page and flicking through the report, which sections dominate the report? 3. Who are the directors? List three or four main directors along with a brief summary of directors report? 4. Who are the auditors? What is the auditors opinion? Provide a brief summary of auditors report? 5. Have sales increased or decreased (compare the year you have selected with that of the previous/preceding one)? Comment on the reasons for the change in the sales. 6. What is the net cash inflow (outflow) from operating activities? (See the companys cash flow statement). How has the companys net cash inflow changed from the previous year in terms of money and in terms of percentage? 7. What was the retained profit for the year? Has the company any borrowings, i.e. loans, debentures, etc.? 8. Based on the income statement, Balance sheet cash flow statement, calculate the following ratios and comment on the financial health of the company? Answers: 1. Brief introduction of Kathmandu Holdings Limited Kathmandu Holding Limited is the professional outdoor wholesaler. It was established in 1987.The company is hooked in designing, marketing, wholesaling of clothes and material for travel and adventure. The companys sector consists of the countrys like New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom. It offers a range of garments like fleece jacket, waterproof jacket, shirt pants and footwear and socks. It also provides equipment consist of bags, sleeping bag, tents, camping accessories and travel accessories. The company works approximately 110 stores in Australia, over 46 stores in New Zealand and approximately 4 in the United Kingdom. The companys subdivision includes Kathmandu (U.K) Limited, Kathmandu Ply Limited, Kathmandu Limited, and Milford Group Holding Limited (www.kathmanduholdings.com, 2017). 2. Identifying the key aspect of the annual report Annual report of any company includes all the relevant and compulsory information for the users (both internal and external) of the report. The annual report specifically includes, directors report, interim report, media announcement, strategic performance report, etc. However, the interim report is the most dominating section of the annual report, followed by the directors report and media announcement (Zadek et al. 2013). Similarly, interim report is the most dominating section of the annual report of Kathmandu Holdings Limited. Financial statement and Auditor's report are the most significant part of it, since it brings material and required information for the users of the report. Here it has been found that the PWC has audited the financial statement of the company, stating that the company has followed the guidelines of AASB and the statement is showing true and fair view (de Villiers et al. 2014). The report has made individually to the companys shareholder. The audit work has been tackled so that it might shape to the companys shareholders the matter which are required to state to the shareholders for the review report and for no other desire. To the fullest extension allowed by the law, the company do not accept or guess the duty anyone other than the shareholder. 3. Identifying the key directors and analyzing the directors report The director is the prime of the organization, they are either appointed or elected, who mostly has the power and duties link to administration and management (Cassim, 2016). The three-significant director of this company are David Kirk, Xavier Simonet and John Harvey. The directors report analysis that majority of Kathmandus year ended sale are obtained from three major sales promotions each year appearing in the part of the months of March and April (Autumn), June and July (Winter) and December and January (Christmas). Among these three developments the Largest sales is Winter sale and the remaining two sales occur in the second half of the financial year. As the outcome, in the second half of every financial year the largest proportion of the Kathmandu sales and EBITDA is obtained. However, the fee structure of the directors is represented below in a diagram. Figure 1: Directors remuneration (source: www.kathmanduholdings.com, 2017) 4. Defining auditors, their opinion and discussing the summary of auditor's report Auditor is someone who is responsible for calculating the validity and security of a company's or managements financial statements (Tang et al. 2017). The only financial statement which was occurred by the Group that are estimated at the fair value are over the counter derivatives. These derivatives have all been resolve to be in the level two of the fair value position. As all the powerful inputs are needed to find out the fair value of these derivatives. Pwc has audited the financial statements of the company and found that the report has been prepared in relationship with group interest andaccounting guidelines. Thus, theAccounting firm, Pwc has given unqualified report. The report is individually made to the companys shareholder as a body (Christ et al. 2015). The audit work has been so that it might state to the companys shareholder, the matter which are required to state to the shareholder for the review report. The company do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than shareholder. 5. Comparative analysis of sales for the year 2017 and 2016 and explaining the reason behind the changes Based on the audited financial statements of Kathmandu Holdings Limited, it can be seen that the total sales for the year ended 31 January is almost similar to the previous year. Total segment sales in the Australia domain is around $ 279,704. The company specifically recognizes the sales whenever the payment is made (Ordanini, Parasuraman Rubera, 2014). However, the credit sales contribute 80% of the total sales. In addition, the group sales also contribute 80% of the total credit sales. It can easily be understood from the sales graph shown below, that how the company efficiently performed in the previous five years to increase sales. This, is the reason why Kathmandu Holdings have never faced losses in the past five years. Figure 2: Segment sales in the domain of New Zealand (source: www.kathmanduholdings.com, 2017) With respect to the above context, the sales revenue in the UK domain has faced struggle in increasing its sales, because the region has very strict belief in accepting the products offered by the company. However, the segment sales are well described in the context of three different countries. An operating is a part of an element that participates in business exercises which wins income and brings about costs and where the central leader audits the working outcomes all the time and settles on choices on asset allotment (Hambrick and Quigley, 2014). The Group is composed into three working portions, portraying the three land areas the Group works in. 6. Discussion on net cash flows of the company The operating cash flow for the year 2017 decreased significantly to $ 10,033, also the cash used in investing. Compare to 2016 and 2017 the net cash flow from operating activities has decreased from 24,187 to 10,033 because in 2017 they paid more to the supplier and the employee, they paid more income tax, also paid interest more as compare to 2016. Receipt from customers remained unchanged, payments to suppliers and employees slightly rose, but income tax and interest paid in the current year is slightly less. This made the operating cash flow less than 2016. However, the net cash used in investing activities has increased in 2017 compare to from (12,875) to (6,792), this is because they purchased less fixed assets, but they purchased more intangible assets. Moreover, proceeds from loans and advances considerably rose to $ 41,921. Similarly, the net cash (outflow) from financing activities has increased in 2017 as compared to 2016, because the company paid less dividend in the curr ent year, also provided less loan as compare to 2016. This is because the cash and cash equivalent is less as compare to 2016 (Ball et al. 2016). However, the computation of net cash inflows from operating activities is shown below. Figure 3: Changes in net profit after taxation with cash inflow (source: www.kathmanduholdings.com, 2017) 7. Discussing the debt and equity structure of the company Kathmandu Holdings total debt is amounted to $ 103,838, which consist of fixed interest-bearing liabilities of $ 51,595 and derivative financial instruments of $ 3,199 for the year 2017. On the other hand, total debt for the year 2016 was $ 48,591 which was less than the current. Thus, it can be said that the company is raising funds to finance their business operation. However, the total equity for both the year remained almost same, which includes unchanged total equity shares (Bradley and Roberts, 2015). Moreover, retained earnings slightly increased, but reserves and surpluses significantly rose in the current year. Therefore, it can be said that Kathmandu Holdings has efficiently managed its equity shares and performed up to the expectations of the shareholders. Since, the dividend paid by the company is considerably higher than that of previous year. However, the consolidated statement of changes in equity with respect to the debt and equity structure is given below. Figure 4: Changes in equity (Source: www.kathmanduholdings.com, 2017) 8. Computation of the financial ratios for identifying the financial health of the company KATHMANDU HOLDINGS LIMITED Profitability ratios Particulars 2017 $ 2016 $ Rate of return on net sales Operating profit / net sales 14830/196316 15139/195977 0.075541474 0.077248861 7.50% 7.70% Rate of return on equity Net profit / total equity 10045/303328 9410/305782 0.033115967 0.030773558 0.03 0.03 Earnings per share given in the annual report 4.9 cents 4.6 cents Liquidity ratios Particulars 2017 $ 2016 $ Working capital Current assets-current liabilities 107202 - 51930 123204 - 48591 55272 74613 $ 55272 $ 74613 Current ratio Current assets/current liabilities 107202 / 51930 123204 / 48591 2.064355864 2.535531271 2.0:1 2.5:1 Accounts receivable turnover Net credit sales/Avg. receivables ((196316/ (5399+7313)/2)) ((195977/ (7313+5031)/2)) 7.721680302 7.938148088 7.72 times 8 times Leverage ratios Particulars 2017 $ 2016 $ Debt ratio Total liabilities/total assets 103838 / 407166 119919 / 425701 0.255026206 0.281697717 25.50% 28.00% Debt to equity ratio Total liabilities/total equity 103838 / 303328 119919 / 305782 0.342329096 0.392171547 34.23% 39.21% Assets turnover ratios Particulars 2017 $ 2016 $ Assets turnover ratios Net sales / average total assets ((196316/ (407166 + 425701)/2)) ((195977/ (425701 + 413253)/2)) 0.117855552 0.116798418 0.12 0.12 Table 1: Financial ratios (Source: Self-created) Based on the computation of different financial ratios of Kathmandu Holdings Limited, for the year ended 31 January 2017, relevant information regarding the financial health of the company have been found, which are commented below. Companys return on sales and return on equity both remain almost same, but the return on sales slightly declined by 0.2% in 2017. Thus, it can be concluded that company is moderately doing well, but it need to put more focus on its unnecessary expenses (Delen et al. 2013). However, the current ratio has shown satisfactory result in 2017, which meet the industry standard of 2:1, but the working capital and accounts receivable turnover declined in 2017 to $ 55272 and 7.72 times respectively. Thus, it can be said that the company is still struggling in paying off its debt obligations. However, the liquidity of current assets gives a sense of relief. On the counter part, the organizations debt-equity mix is quite high, indicating that the entity is largely relying on the debt capital for financing their operation (Kou et al. 2014). However, the assets turnover ratio remained unchanged, indicating that the company is quite stable in generating sufficient revenue with its assets. 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Available from: https://www.kathmanduholdings.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/1H-FY17-ASX-release.pdf [Accessed on 11 Sep. 2017]. Zadek, S., Evans, R. and Pruzan, P. (2013). Building corporate accountability: Emerging practice in social and ethical accounting and auditing. Routledge.